In the weeks that have passed since Bobbi Kristina Brown was found unconscious, she has remained hospitalized, in a coma, and dependent on life support. Although much of the attention around the 22-year-old daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown went to her boyfriend, Nick Gordon, who posted increasingly frantic messages on social media, Bobbi Kristina’s aunt, Pat Houston, is finally revealing the reality of her niece’s condition, reported Us Weekly.

Pat kept her statement simple, releasing it on the day that her niece turned 22.

“Today is Bobbi Kristina’s 22nd birthday. And we ask you to continue to keep her in your prayers as she is still fighting the battle of her life.”

But given the long period of time that has passed since she was discovered on January 31, is there truly hope that Bobbi Kristina can win that battle? Yes, Bobby Brown and family members can continue to hope, said a neurologist in an interview with Extra.

Dr. Sasan Yadegar is a Neurosurgical Director with Dignity Health Northridge Hospital and Trauma Center. Although she has not treated Bobbi Kristina, the physician contends that in such cases when the patient is so young, it is possible the brain damage from a lack of oxygen can be repaired.

“In the best of circumstances, what happens with these patients is that you expect the first thing to return is some respiratory function, the second thing to return is their eyes may open. They may not follow commands but their eyes may open. The third thing is movement of the upper and lower extremities. That is not to commands, but due to some type of stimulus. And then slowly, and God willing, they start following some commands.”

At that point, Bobby (who is the person responsible for making decisions for Bobbi Kristina while she is impaired) would need to make the decision to send her to long-term care, said Dr. Yadegar. The physician cautioned that recovery will be slow.

“Once they start following commands, you commit them to a rehab center, which means they exercise the upper and lower extremities,” explained Dr. Yadegar.

“Hopefully, they get the patient back up walking and sitting in a chair and then ultimately they work with them with the speech therapy to get them to talk again and understand the speech and learn how to get around and get by with their lives.”

Noting that it could take as long as two years for Bobbi Kristina to learn to accomplish those simple tasks, the physician added a caution.

“To expect a full recovery is absolutely not possible.”

What happens to Nick Gordon, who lived first with Whitney Houston and Bobbi Kristina as an unofficially adopted son and then moved in with Bobbi Kristina as her beau? As the Inquisitr reported, Gordon appeared on Dr. Phil earlier for this week for what began as an interview and turned into an intervention.

Although family member Leolah Brown wrote on her Facebook page that police are investigating Gordon for attempting to kill her niece and asked Dr. Phil not to air the show, the episode was broadcast, with Nick heading to rehab under Dr. Phil’s directive.

“Nick Gordon is under investigation for the attempted murder of my niece Bobbi Kristina Brown. We have strong evidence of foul play. Until this investigation is completed by law enforcement, I would ask that you or anyone else not provide this individual a platform to spin this situation to his benefit.”

However, now Dr. Phil himself is the target of criticism by those contending he should not have aired an episode with someone who admitted he was high, reported the Daily Beast.

In addition, the TV psychologist is being slammed for repeatedly telling Nick’s birth mother on the show that he would die if not sent to rehab by Dr. Phil.

“Your son, left to his own devices, will be dead inside a week,” warned Dr. Phil repeatedly.

Dr. Phil also was criticized for not listening to Nick’s own request to not air the episode.

“Please don’t put this on TV,” pleaded Gordon.

What do you think? Did Dr. Phil cross the line by airing the show after Gordon admitted he had been taking pills and drinking alcohol just before he was interviewed? Post your comments below.